The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-07-21

the knowledge deep into the heart
whose anguished throbs alone betray-
ed her distress.
This is the way the knowledge OF
herself came to her:
The picture was finished and Cecil
was going. At the last moment he
took her hand and held it for an
instant, gazing down into her face
with an expression which revealed to
her like lightning flash what was in
his mind, even before the words came
which were to draw the veil away
which had disguised his feelings to-
wards her.
''Molly," he said with a passionate
thrill in his voice, sit is like leaving
my heart behind me to go away from
here. Can you not tell why? 1t is
because love you. May 1 not come
back some time?"
Molly had turned as white as snow
drop at his words; for in that instant
she knew that to accept his love would
be a foretaste of Paradise; and, lol
the angel with the sword stood men-
acingly at the gates of the realm of
bliss so suddenly opening before her.
She could not enter.
''Oh nor she exclaimed wildly, '.'do
not come back. l must never set my
eyes upon your face again"
Cecil looked at her in surprise.
Could this pale agitated girl be the
frank joyous creature he had learned
to love so well! What could it meanp
How had his words had power to so
transform herp But he was soon en-
hghtened
Before 1 knew you," she continued
hastily, Il promised to be the wife of
a good man. l thought l loved him
well enough to make that promise"
And you find now that you were
mistaken" interrupted Cecil with a
glad ring in his young voice. 1T is
well that you know it. It would be
wrong to marry man unless you
gave him your whole heart also"
"Did 1 say did not love RichardP"
said Molly with dazed look. Il did
not mean to. Oh, please go away. l
cannot listen to you" For Cecil had
drawn her to his heart in his impulsive
way.
She disengaged herself from his
arms with terrified feeling that she
had been false to Richard-to kind,
good Richard, who loved her so dearly.
Then, without another look at Cecil,
she fled from him as though from
dangerous object. She dared not trust
her own self. 1t was that from which
she really fled.
Cecil was young and impulsive, and
had been accustomed to have his own
way; and he did not give up his hope
of winning Molly without a struggle.
But he found her firm.
"You are mistaken in thinking that
/ could be false to Richard" she said
piteously. Il love him dearly, and l
will try to make him happy"
And Cecil was Obliged to take this
for her final answer.
''At least, Molly, you will not deny
me your friendship" he said in part
ing.
Il shall be glad to call you friend"
said Molly. ''But it will be best for
us not to see each other often. / could
not bear it."
The girl was not aware that this was
a confession of weakness ON her part
She was so intensely anxious to do her
duty to Richard that everything else
was forgotten for the moment
But Ceci's face frightened
''She loves mer' he thought with
thrill of JOY. But he made no sign of
his discovery, lest it might even more
etfectually separate him from her So
ciety.
Time passed on, and Richards ship
was looked for into port.
A storm aroSe-One of the most fear
full that had ever been known upon the
coast. Wrecks were scattered far and
near, and those who had friends at sea
wore white frightened faces as they
listened to the Wind Kings ragings.
Molly lived several miles inland, but
her fancy depicted terrible scenes Of
ships battling with the angry elements.
and of drowning sailors, amid which
one white face was ever present-that
of her sailor lover.
One night laundering rap came at
the door. Quaking in every limb, she
drew on her garments, and crept
down to answer the summons.
1t was Cecil. He was very grave,
and his clothes were wet through, as
though he had been in the water.
Come with me-" he said to Molly.
''One you love is near death fought
for his life with the waves, and after l
had succeeded in bringing him to land.
| learned that it was Richard Gra-
hame, whose native shores had buffeted
the returning wanderer, He is con-
scious, and calls for you"
Without word Molly left him to
put on her wraps. She soon was
ready, and seated herself in a wagon
beside Cecil. The ride seemed an un-
ending one. but at last it terminated.
Richards pallid face lighted up with
a transient glow when he saw her. He
put out his arms feebly, and with a
low cry Molly sank upon her knees by
his side and rained kisses upon his
lips. In that moment she would have
willingly given her life to save the one
so fast ebbing away.
After while he rallied little, so
as to be able to talk to her. Unselhsh
in his last moments as he had been
through his life, he thought of his
darling's future more than of himself.
Molly" whispered the faint voice,
81 meant to have made you so happy!
But it is Gods will that / should go.
In future years you must not forget
me; but | do not want you to think OF
me sadly. have tried to do my duty,
and l have hope beyond the grave.
Think of me as one at rest. And,
Molly, you are too little fitted to battle
with the world to remain without a
protector. Some time, if good man
tries to win you for wife, do not re-
main single for my sake. 1t would
make me happy to see you tenderly
cared for, and | would not have a
selfish influence over you from my
silent resting-place.
Molly's tears fell silently as she
listened, but they were not remOrseful
drops, for she had been true to Rich
ard in her heart, even if bewilder-
ing dream had come to her to WOO her
from her duty to him. So those last
few hours were peaceful ones.
Richard died with his head pillowed
upon her breast. and with his last look
fastened upon her tear-wet face.
1t was many long months before
Cecil renewed his suit. With instinc-
tive delicacy, he waited for time to
soften the shock which had rent his
darling's tender heart.
Then he came to her and pleaded
his cause so eloquently that Molly
could not refuse him. But it was a
chastemed affection which filled her
| L